Page 32 of Wreck Me

‘Why have you been avoiding men?’ His thumb strokes over mine in what is both a soothing and sensual motion.

I pause for a second, wondering how to explain without revealing too much of my less than pleasant past. ‘Let’s just say, I’ve had some bad experiences.’ I fiddle with the stem of my wine glass.

‘What happened?’ Sympathy crossed with something like anger pinches his features.

‘It’s a long story. I’d rather not discuss it tonight.’

James brings my hand to his mouth and presses his lips against my skin. His eyes exude a heat that scorches my soul. ‘While you are mine, no harm will ever come to you. I’ll make sure of it. This arrangement between us might be business,’ his throat bobs as he swallows, ‘but if there’s anything I can do for you, just say. I want you to be happy.’

‘Thank you.’ His kindness is unexpected. I blink back the hot well of tears forming behind my eyeballs.

Thankfully, the waitress returns and places two steaming plates of food between us. James raises his wine glass and clinks it against mine. ‘To fake first dates.’

‘To fake first dates.’

He stabs the beef with his fork and I watch with envy as it passes his luscious lips. His moan is borderline sexual. Or maybe it’s just on me. From the second I laid eyes on James Beckett, I’ve barely thought of anything else but sex. The allure of the unknown has never been more, well, alluring.

‘So good,’ he murmurs, stabbing another piece of succulent beef. This time, instead of raising his fork to his own lips, he raises it to mine. It feels even more intimate than the hand holding. My mouth opens of its own accord. The cool metal of the fork contrasts with the heat of the dish. A burst of flavour hits my tongue before the beef melts in my mouth.

My own moan is positively orgasmic. ‘So good.’

‘Right?’ James grins at me. ‘I love a woman who loves food. It’s the second greatest pleasure on this earth.’ He shoots me a lascivious wink.

‘Tell me, why did you choose to study finance?’ James asks, between mouthfuls of ravioli.

‘What’s this? An interview?’ I tease. ‘I thought I already got the job?’

‘You did, but when I introduce my “girlfriend” to my family, I’d like to know a little about her.’

‘Numbers are the only constant thing in a world that’s ever changing. Opinions change. Theories change. People change. But numbers never let me down.’

He nods with approval.

‘How about you?’

‘Duty,’ he admits. ‘I’m the oldest Beckett. It was always going to fall to me to run the company. My brothers got to choose their subsidiaries, but I didn't have that luxury. Which is why I refuse to permit my father to pick a wife for me, too.’

‘Do you get along with your family?’ I ask before popping another piece of beef into my mouth. All I ever wished for in life was a normal family. When my mother married Jack O’Connor, I was young enough to think I might have found it. How wrong I was.

James’s throat bobs as he swallows. ‘They’re everything to me.’

‘Even your dad? Even when he’s pressuring you to get married?’

‘Especiallymy dad. He taught me everything I know. He’s hard on me for my own benefit, but he’s also my biggest champion.’ James puts his fork down and rocks back in his chair. ‘He’s actually a ridiculous romantic. He and my mother still go all doe-eyed when they see each other. I think he wants that for me.’

‘Sounds lovely.’ I'd imagined Alexander Beckett to be sterner.

‘What about you?’ James’s head tilts to the side.

I shrug. ‘There’s not much to know. My father died when I was two. My mother died when I was seventeen.’ I stare at the wine in the bottom of my glass. ‘That’s it.’ My throat tightens at the memory, but I don’t want to dwell on it. I don’t want to cry. Not in front of James.

He winces, genuine horror crossing his face. ‘Jesus,Scarlett, I’m so sorry.’ His fingers dart over the back of my hand again. ‘Any brothers or sisters?’

I blow out a breath. ‘No.’Not anymore.

‘Sounds lonely.’ He studies me with sympathy.

‘I’ve learnt to take care of myself.’ I don’t need or want his, or anyone else’s sympathy.

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